Caring For Baby Teeth And Gums: Prevent Cavities Early

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By J.Blackstone · Updated October 16, 2026

Quick AnswerBaby teeth need care from the first tooth: they hold space for the permanent teeth and help with chewing and speech, and cavities can cause problems with both. Wipe or brush them daily, avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle, and keep up with dental checkups.

Caring for baby teeth is essential to prevent cavities. Good baby teeth care is important because cavities can lead to both chewing and speech issues, and baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, ensuring they come in straight. Let’s dive into some practical steps to keep those tiny teeth healthy.

🦠 Your Saliva Can Cause Your Baby To Have Cavities.

Cavities are caused by dental caries, where bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that eats away at the structure of the teeth by depleting calcium. These bacteria also produce plaque, which builds up on the tooth and consumes the enamel. This microorganism is easily transferred. If you have cavities or plaque, you are carrying this germ.

When your infant is born, his mouth is sterile. You could transfer your germs to your child by putting the baby’s pacifier, spoon, toy, or toothbrush in your mouth. Steer clear of doing these and by no means share food with your baby or share the same spoon.

You and other family members need to take care of your teeth. Go to the dentist when you or other family members discover cavities. Your dentist can prescribe an anti-bacterial mouthwash for you to use. Research has proven family members chewing gum that has Xylitol (e.g., Orbit, Trident, and so on) four times a day are additionally effective.

💧 Water In Bedtime Bottle

Germs that decay enamel need sugars to grow. Do NOT put your baby to bed with anything in his bottle but water. Milk contains lactose, which is a sugar. Slowly dilute the milk with extra water until the newborn changes from milk to water.

By no means put anything else but water, milk, or formula in the bottle. Tooth decay in very young children was referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay for a good reason. The disease is now referred to as Early Childhood Caries (ECC).

The America Association of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends weaning infants from the bottle by 14 months. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests that babies drink from a cup by age 1.

🚫 No Juice In Sippy Cups

The American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) advises serving juice in a cup held by the parent. Do not put juice in bottles or Sippy cups or offer juice boxes to your baby. This encourages sipping on the juice and keeps the teeth bathed in sugars. Water is the only thing that goes into the Sippy cup until mealtime. At mealtimes, offer your child milk.

Do not dip a pacifier in sugar and definitely not honey. Honey is lethal to infants.

Caring For Baby Teeth

Beginning at birth, take a washcloth or soft toothbrush and clean your baby’s gums twice daily and always clean before bedtime. Purchase a toothbrush with soft bristles, a small head, and a large handle.

Continue this practice after baby teeth appear. Do not use toothpaste until your youngster is three years old and can spit. You will need to supervise your child brushing his teeth until age 6. When your baby’s teeth no longer permit you to easily brush all surfaces, you will need to floss his teeth.

Once a month, take a look at your baby’s teeth. The teeth should be all one color and without pits. Call your pediatric dentist if you see any spots.

For additional information on caring for baby teeth, please visit:

10 Things to Know About Your Tot’s Teeth

How do I care for my baby’s teeth?

Appointment With The Pediatric Dentist

You need to meet with the pediatric dentist sometime between the baby’s first tooth and the age of one. The dentist will suggest caring for baby teeth, thumb-sucking, and teething problems.

💡 Quick Tip: Schedule your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears.

FAQ

When Do You Start
Cleaning Baby Teeth?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents should start cleaning their baby’s teeth as soon as they erupt. This can be done with a soft, wet cloth or a toothbrush designed for infants.

Is It Okay To Use
Fluoride Toothpaste?

Fluoride toothpaste can be used to clean a baby’s teeth, but it should not be swallowed. It is important to use only a grain-sized amount of toothpaste smeared on the toothbrush. At three, you can use a pea-sized amount. Encourage the child to spit.

How Do I Teach My
One-Year-Old To Spit?

It can be difficult to teach a one-year-old how to spit, but with patience and practice, it can be done. One way to do this is to offer your child a drink of water and then help them spit the water into a sink or toilet. You can also try to encourage your child to spit by making a game out of it. For example, you can say, “show me your spitting skills” or “who can spit the farthest?”

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About J.Blackstone

Jordan writes the gift guides, holiday checklists and home tips here at Dobibe, tests the ideas on his own busy household, and builds the tools behind FabaShelf, KeyHUD and Root And Coop. Have a question or an idea for a page? Use the message button in the corner; he answers every one.

Caring For Baby Teeth To Prevent Cavities

🦠 Your Saliva Can Cause Your Baby To Have Cavities.

💧 Water In Bedtime Bottle

🚫 No Juice In Sippy Cups